Implementing the Prisoner Exchange Agreement on Friday, a Yemeni Official

Reports

Wed, 12-04-2023 07:33 PM, Aden

Aden (South24)

An official in the Yemeni internationally recognized government said, on Wednesday, that the prisoner exchange agreement with the Houthis will be implemented next Friday.

Majed Fadail, a member of the government negotiations team, indicated that the prisoner exchange process will start after being delayed for several days.

"It was confirmed that the exchange process will start on Friday morning, corresponding to April 14, 2023. The process will last for three days, lasting until Sunday," he added.

Fadail pointed out that the International Committee of the Red Cross will operate flights between Sanaa airport and other Yemeni and Saudi airports.

The first day of the prisoner exchange process includes a flight that will transport dozens of prisoners, including the former Minister of Defense, Major General Mahmoud Al-Subaihi, to Aden.

"We are not in a position to confirm any specific dates for the implementation of the prisoner exchange, as the situation continues to evolve," Red Cross spokesman Basheer Omar said on Tuesday.

Any negative developments in the Saudi talks with the Houthis threaten to delay or disrupt the implementation of the prisoner exchange agreement, signed in Switzerland on March 20.

The agreement includes the release of 706 Houthi prisoners in exchange for 181 prisoners of the Yemeni government and the Saudi-led Coalition.

Yemeni prisoners gesture after being released by the Saudi-led coalition, during their arrival at Sanaa airport, Oct. 15, 2020 (AP)

Implementing the Prisoner Exchange Agreement on Friday, a Yemeni Official